Education is not the effect of consumer goods directly and quickly. Study abroad is a decision once in life. So, not that easy.
- Mervin Bakker
Nuffic Neso Indonesia Director Mervin Bakker revealed that the
European growth is still occurring and the impact of the crisis is not very influential on the world of higher education, especially for Indonesian students. The following are extracts Kompas.com interview with leaders of non-profit organizations that take care of all Dutch higher education sector in Indonesia is:
Whether the crisis is impacting and eventually had to cut the budget of educational scholarships for Indonesian students?
Impact (crisis) to the world of education so far nothing. I think, is still difficult to predict, is it possible to cut the budget of scholarships for Indonesian students. One important thing to know is, Indonesia is still the focus of our government, and the budget is used to strengthen bilateral relations.
Sorry, we are seeing, not only Europe, especially Holland, which ultimately focus on the Indonesian students international education as an asset. United States, Japan, in particular Australia, and even lately China has more incentive to attract Indonesian students to study in their country. How do you think?
Without offending another country, I want to emphasize that we do not believe in aggressive tactics to promote higher education goals. Education is not the effect of consumer goods directly and quickly. Study abroad is a decision once in life. So, not as easy as that!
We (Nuffic Neso) supported by the Dutch universities in all their activities in Indonesia, including promotion. We do it because we believe that the Dutch Government offers world-class education system with the cost and environmental education that can compete.
Not only that which makes us believe. The Netherlands is also a very multicultural country and tolerant in any way. And, make no mistake, many Dutch people today who still like Indonesia. In addition, the Indonesian community, both students and non students to a substantial amount in the Netherlands, so it is not difficult to find food or anything about Indonesia here.
With the incessant promotions of other countries, whether the niche Dutch higher education at present is unrivaled for Indonesian students today?
I guess it's not a problem for us because of the nature of education in Europe is a social investment. We have 3000 universities in Indonesia as the potential cooperation partners for universities in the Netherlands. And, currently there are about 127 forms of cooperation between universities in Indonesia and the Netherlands, and the largest portion on student exchange program. That's about 22 percent and research cooperation as much as 19 percent.
So important is the position of Indonesia?
Of course. Higher education and the concept of internationalization of higher education is very important in Europe and can clearly be seen from these programs are rolled out Erasmus in Indonesia, a very significant increase budget allocations for the development of knowledge and education until 2014.
You've served in Indonesia today, less than five months. How does your view of higher education in Indonesia, including how to work with the Government of Indonesia, in this Higher Education?
Frankly, I was impressed especially with the development of the internationalization of higher education here. I really feel this development process or the journey ahead was appropriate in the expected path.
Could you explain, what can prove what you say that?
Yes, I have made visits to several universities here and proved to many colleges have international firm has a representative office and its programs to run properly. In addition, they (college) also has appointed representatives of its president, a special charge of international collaboration. That is, the infrastructure already built with precision.
I guess, Higher Education has played a role in this process. Their efforts to stimulate the internationalization of programs already underway, including expanding the capacity of research and investment, especially for the lecturers as the most crucial.
Can be concluded, you (Nuffic Neso) pleased to be working with the Government of Indonesia (Higher Education)?
Of course, we are very happy to be working with Higher Education in this connection, namely the internationalization of higher education. We feel privileged to contribute, as a small part of the development of higher education in Indonesia.
Finally, if the concept is clearly advantageous for the internationalization of the Dutch?
What needs to be seen here is, cooperation between Indonesia and universities in the Netherlands has always occurred and continue to grow with the same basic cooperation. That does not mean this cooperation really mean the same because of this cooperation has its own value to be learned and profit by each party....
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